Eligibility and Application

Membership is handled through individual state societies. The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Kansas welcomes your interest. You do not need to be a resident of Kansas to apply.

Anyone able to document lineal descent from a passenger on the Mayflower voyage of 1620 that terminated on the shores of New England at Plymouth and is over eighteen (18) years of age is eligible to apply for Senior Membership in the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Kansas.

Preliminary Review

Potential new members may wish to utilize the Preliminary Review Form offered by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants prior to initiating the Senior Membership Application. This may be an aid to your research and save in preparation time. There is a $35.00 fee, per inquiry, for this service. If it is determined that a previously approved application matches your line, copies of the approved lineage papers may be purchased for $10.00 through the General Society.

If you have a blood relative who is a member of the Society they may be able to provide you with a copy of their approved lineage application, which may greatly reduce the magnitude of your task.

CAUTION: Applicants applying on a previously approved line may be required to add to and enhance the proof evidence (documents) up to today’s standards for approval.

Applicants must submit two (2) copies of each proof or evidence of lineage documentation with their application. Primary documentation is required for the first three (3) generations beginning with the applicant, their parents and grandparents. That would include, but is not limited to birth, marriage and death certificates for each person in each generation. Primary documentation is recommended for remaining generations back to the Mayflower passenger, but in the absence of primary documentation availability, secondary documents such as published genealogies, wills, probate, census records, military records and obituaries, to name a few, may be useful in documenting your lineage. With digitized resources it is now easier to research your Pilgrim ancestors. Our State Historian will assist you in the preparation and filing of your application.

Any person under eighteen (18) years of age who is related to a present or past member of the Society by blood through the line this member was approved by the Society may become a Junior Member of this Society. Application for Junior Membership may be made on behalf of the candidate by any Senior Member in good standing.

The Patriot to Passenger Project is a growing published list of Patriots who descend from Mayflower passengers. It is a way to help others find their link to a Mayflower Pilgrim. This project is a work in progress.